HA NOI (biz Hub)— Twenty-one companies and one fund delisted shares in the first half of this year, the State Securities Commission revealed yesterday, reducing the total number of listed companies in the country.

Of the number, 16 companies delisted under request, three volunteered to delist and two moved to trade shares on the unlisted public company market (UpCoM), the commission said at a meeting in the capital.

There were also seven new listed firms during the first six months, bringing the total number of listed companies on the nation's two stock exchanges to around 740.

The total capital raised through the issuance of shares and bidding of government bonds over the reviewed period, reaching VND114.84 trillion (US$5.42 billion), up 37 per cent year-on-year.

However, raising capital through issuing shares fell sharply, reaching only VND2.34 trillion ($111.4 million), declining 58 per cent. Meanwhile, equitisation and bond bidding value both jumped around 70 per cent.

Scheduled for the second half of the year, the commission will continue to help reduce difficulties for enterprises, attract foreign investment and extend trading hours to enhance liquidity.

In addition, the commission will also learn to set up a credit rating organisation, develop measures to help businesses increase funding through the stock market and reduce administration procedures.

At the same time, it will issue an accounting regime applicable to securities firms and fund management companies which will separate assets of investors and brokerages.

Increasing sanctions for violations in the stock market was also an important task of the last six months, the commission said. — VNS